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IPOH – Any decision to postpone the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Ujian Penilaian Kelas Al-Quran dan Fardu Ain (UPKK) examinations in Perak due to the haze will be discussed collectively by the relevant agencies if necessary.
Perak Education, Higher Education, Youth and Sports Committee chairman Datuk Khairudin Abu Hanipah said any decision would take into account the latest Air Pollutant Index (API) readings and ensure students could sit for their examinations without attendance issues.
He said the Perak State Education Department continuously updated API readings from four monitoring stations across the state to assess the current situation.
“For now, all four stations are showing a decline in API readings, and schools are operating as usual.
“The matter will be reviewed by the relevant agencies, including the Education Ministry (MOE), state education department and the Perak Islamic Religious Department, which oversees UPKK.
“If there is a need to postpone the examinations, the matter may be discussed collectively to ensure their implementation does not result in students being unable to attend,” he told reporters.
Khairudin was speaking after representing the Perak Menteri Besar at the Himpunan Mahabbah Pendekar Negeri Perak at the Main Hall of the Perak State Youth and Sports Complex here on Sunday.
He expressed hope that API readings in Perak would continue to improve so that the UPKK, SPM and other examinations could proceed smoothly this year.
Meanwhile, Khairudin said outdoor school activities were currently prohibited in accordance with a circular issued by the Education Ministry in response to the haze.
The restriction covers co-curricular activities, camping and sports, while teaching and learning must be conducted indoors, he said.
Separately, Khairudin described the Himpunan Mahabbah Pendekar Negeri Perak, organised by the Pertubuhan Seni Gayong Serantau Malaysia (PSGSM), as a positive initiative to preserve the country's traditional martial arts heritage and cultivate interest among younger generations.
He said the Perak state government, under Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, supported efforts to preserve the traditional martial art as part of human capital and youth development under the Perak Sejahtera 2030 plan.
“We must look at this martial art as more than just producing champions in the arena. It also instils manners, values and spirituality passed down by instructors and grandmasters.
“This ensures that the practitioners they train develop not only martial arts skills but also strong spiritual values and good manners,” he said.
More than 500 martial arts practitioners of various age groups attended the event.
